Top mass determination, Higgs inflation, and vacuum stability

The possibility that new physics beyond the Standard Model (SM) appears only at the Planck scale $M_P$ is often considered. However, it is usually argued that new physics interactions at $M_P$ do not affect the SM stability phase diagram, so the latter is obtained neglecting these terms. According to this diagram, for the current experimental values of the top and Higgs masses, our universe lives in a metastable state (with very long lifetime), near the edge of stability. Contrary to these expectations, however, we show that the stability phase diagram strongly depends on new physics and that, despite claims to the contrary, a more precise determination of the top (as well as of the Higgs) mass will not allow to discriminate between stability, metastability or criticality of the electroweak vacuum. At the same time, we show that the conditions needed for the realization of Higgs inflation scenarios (all obtained neglecting new physics) are too sensitive to the presence of new interactions at $M_P$. Therefore, Higgs inflation scenarios require very severe fine tunings that cast serious doubts on these models.Comment: 20 pages, 10 figure

Impact of Gravity on Vacuum Stability

In a pioneering paper on the role of gravity on false vacuum decay, Coleman and De Luccia showed that a strong gravitational field can stabilize the false vacuum, suppressing the formation of true vacuum bubbles. This result is obtained for the case when the energy density difference between the two vacua is small, the so called thin wall regime, but is considered of more general validity. Here we show that when this condition does not hold, however, {\it a strong gravitational field (Planckian physics) does not necessarily induce a total suppression of true vacuum bubble nucleation}. Contrary to common expectations then, gravitational physics at the Planck scale {\it does not stabilize the false vacuum}. These results are of crucial importance for the stability analysis of the electroweak vacuum and for searches of new physics beyond the Standard Model.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Lifetime of the electroweak vacuum and sensitivity to Planck scale physics

If the Standard Model (SM) is valid up to extremely high energy scales, then the Higgs potential becomes unstable at approximately 10(11) GeV. However, calculations of the lifetime of the SM vacuum have shown that it vastly exceeds the age of the Universe. It was pointed out by two of us (V.B., E.M.) that these calculations are extremely sensitive to effects from Planck scale higher-dimensional operators and, without knowledge of these operators, firm conclusions about the lifetime of the SM vacuum cannot be drawn. The previous paper used analytical approximations to the potential and, except for Higgs contributions, ignored loop corrections to the bounce action. In this work, we do not rely on any analytical approximations and consider all contributions to the bounce action, confirming the earlier result. It is surprising that the Planck scale operators can have such a large effect when the instability is at 10(11) GeV. There are two reasons for the size of this effect. In typical tunneling calculations, the value of the field at the center of the critical bubble is much larger than the point of the instability; in the SM case, this turns out to be numerically within an order of magnitude of the Planck scale. In addition, tunneling is an inherently nonperturbative phenomenon and may not be as strongly suppressed by inverse powers of the Planck scale. We include effective Phi(6) and Phi(8) Planck-scale operators and show that they can have an enormous effect on the tunneling rate

Evaluation of Orexin-A serum levels in karate athletes cohort

The lateral hypothalamus products various neuropeptides, among of these the Orexin-A (hypocretin-1) is a protein that regulates numerous physiological and behavioural processes involving in energy balance and metabolic status, physical activity, blood glucose levels, and food intake. Many data literature reported that the production of Orexin-A increases following regular and structured physical activity. Indeed, it improves energy metabolism and insulin sensitivity, and also modulate energy expenditure and thermogenesis. The higher Orexin-A tone is an endogenous factor that predicts physical activity, improving BMI and the energy expenditure aspect. It is well known that physical activity has positive effects on health and body weight, it improves cognitive performance increasing Orexin-A levels. Given these evidences, the aim of this study is evaluated Orexin-A serum levels in a cohort of karate athletes. Fort these reasons, were recruited 10 young karate athletes and 10 matched non-athletes as control. We evaluated biochemical and anthropometric parameters, and Orexin-A serum levels through ELISA-test. Our results showed that there is a statistical difference between karate athletes and non-athletes in BMI and in biochemical parameters such as glycaemic and lipid profile. Interestingly, Orexin-A serum levels are statistical higher in karate athletes compared to non- athletes. The differences between athlete and non-athletes in this study could be attributed to a better training-related hypothalamic activity in karate athletes. In addition, these evidences indicate that the physical activity has beneficial effects not only on anthropometric and biochemical parameters but also on orexin-A levels, and then on central nervous system

Physical activity as protective factor against COVID-19 disease

The Coronavirus Pandemic has forced millions of people around the world to look at home. This resulted, as a consequence, in a remodelling of the lifestyle; in this scenario the correct nutrition combined with regular physical activity becomes fundamental for health. Although the sedentary lifestyle of a few weeks involves risks such as lowering the immune system, it favours overweight and obesity, high blood pressure, metabolic disorders, depression and anxiety, and in some subjects they react to the risk of onset of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other diseases. The importance of healthy lifestyle is crucial to prevent also viral infection. Indeed, as reported by many data literature, during lung infections, IL-6 and TNF-a create the pathway between adipose tissue and lung system demonstrating the important involvement of adipose tissue in lung diseases. In obese condition, adipose tissue endocrine function is altered. There is an imbalance in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-a and anti-inflammatory mediators such as IL-10. In the light of these evidences, the immune response is influenced by nutritional status and by physical activity which are able to reduce pro-inflammatory mediators and increase anti-inflammatory mediators such as IL-10 . In addition, the power of viral infection is influenced by host predisposition. For these reasons, a correct lifestyle, and physical activity are a valid strategy in the prevention and treatment of not metabolic diseases also of inflammatory diseases

Purification, molecular cloning, heterologous expression and characterization of pig CYP1A2

Porcine cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2 was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from the hepatic microsomes of -naphthoflavone-treated male pigs. In a reconstituted system, this enzyme showed a good catalytic activity towards caffeine, acetanilide, and methoxyresorufin, all known markers of mammalian CYP1A2. Using 30- and 50-rapid amplification of coding DNA (cDNA) ends (RACE), we amplified from the liver RNA of control pigs a full-length 1827 bp cDNA containing an open reading frame of 1548 bp which encoded a putative CYP1A2 protein of 516 amino acids and an estimated Mr of 58 380 Da. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) experiments showed that the messenger RNA (mRNA) of CYP1A2 was expressed in liver, heart and nasal mucosa but not in lung, small intestine, kidney and brain. Using the pCW vector containing a N-terminal modified cDNA, pig CYP1A2 was expressed in Escherichia coli. 3-[(3-Chloroamidopropyl)dimethylmmonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS)-solubilized E. coli preparations expressing CYP1A2 produced a functionally isoform which, in a reconstituted system, was catalytically active toward ethoxyresorufin and methoxyresorufin showing Km\u27s similar to those obtained with CYP1A2 purified from pig liver or human recombinant CYP1A2. Taken together, these results demonstrate that domestic pigs have a functionally active CYP1A2 gene well expressed in the liver with biochemical properties quite similar to those corresponding to the human enzyme

New architectural design of delivery room reduces morbidity in preterm neonates: a prospective cohort study

Background: A multidisciplinary committee composed of a panel of experts, including a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Institute of Architects, has suggested that the delivery room (DR) and the neonatal intensive care units (NICU) room should be directly interconnected. We aimed to investigate the impact of the architectural design of the DR and the NICU on neonatal outcome. Methods: Two cohorts of preterm neonates born at < 32weeks of gestational age, consecutively observed during 2years, were compared prospectively before (Cohort 1: "conventional DR") and after architectural renovation of the DR realized in accordance with specific standards (Cohort 2: "new concept of DR"). In Cohort 1, neonates were initially cared for a conventional resuscitation area, situated in the DR, and then transferred to the NICU, located on a separate floor of the same hospital. In Cohort 2 neonates were assisted at birth directly in the NICU room, which was directly connected to the DR via a pass-through door. The primary outcome of the study was morbidity, defined by the proportion of neonates with at least one complication of prematurity (i.e., late-onset sepsis, patent ductus arteriosus, intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity and necrotizing enterocolitis). Secondary outcomes were mortality and duration of hospitalization. Statistical analysis was performed using standard methods by SPSS software. Results: We enrolled 106 neonates (56 in Cohort 1 and 50 in Cohort 2). The main clinical and demographic characteristics of the 2cohorts were similar. Moderate hypothermia (body temperature ≤ 35.9° C) was more frequent in Cohort 1 (57%) compared with Cohort 2 (24%, p = 0.001). Morbidity was increased in Cohort 1 (73%) compared with Cohort 2 (44%, p = 0.002). No statistically significant differences in mortality and median duration of hospitalization were observed between the 2 cohorts of the study. Conclusions: If realized according to the proposed architectural standards, renovation of DR and NICU may represent an opportunity to reduce morbidity in preterm neonates